LDWF Announces Series of Wetland Management Workshops

Sept. 19, 2013 – The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Technical Services Section, along with partners, will present Wetland Management Workshops at two locations in Louisiana’s Red River Valley Region. The target audience for these events will be landowners managing shallow water impoundments for waterfowl and wetland birds.

The Tuesday evening workshops are scheduled from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the following locations:

Sept. 24 – Natchitoches Arts Center

716 Second Street, Natchitoches, La.

Oct. 1 – Red River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters

150 Eagle Bend Point, Bossier City, La.

Each workshop will cover fundamentals associated with management of wetland impoundments for waterfowl and wetland birds. Topics will include timing of drawdowns, beneficial and invasive plant species, maintenance practices and a brief discussion on timber management in bottomland hardwood reforestation projects. Speakers will include LDWF technical services biologists, waterfowl and forestry program staff, and representatives from the USDA-NRCS and Ducks Unlimited. Experienced wetland managers will be on hand to discuss your particular situation.

Over the last 20 years, thousands of acres of wetland impoundments have been constructed, both independently and with the assistance of government cost share programs. Some landowners are finding that, without management, these wetland units do not remain productive over extended periods of time. There are certain management practices that when utilized can maximize use by wetland birds. Landowners managing Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) properties should find this opportunity particularly beneficial.

LDWF technical services biologists are available to provide technical assistance to support the efforts of Louisiana landowners. LDWF is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb, or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.

For more information on the workshops, contact David Hayden at 318-487-5885 or dhayden@wlf.la.gov .